GSU football program officially approved to join CAA full-time in 2012

The Georgia State University football program has beenofficially admitted as a member of CAA Football when the Panthers beginconference play in 2012.Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner Tom Yeager extended theofficial invitation to Georgia State President Dr. Mark Becker, Directorof Athletics Cheryl L. Levick and head coach Bill Curry in a Thursdayafternoon news conference on the Georgia State campus.

Kicking off in 2010, the Georgia State football program will play twoseasons as an independent before joining CAA Football in 2012. ThePanthers will compete in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS),
formerly known as NCAA Division I-AA.

The inclusion of Georgia State University's program in CAA Footballis another important step forward in our journey toward the Fall 2010inaugural kickoff for GSU Football, said Becker. CAA Football hasemerged as the premier Football Championship Subdivision conference inthe nation, and that athletic success is matched by an exemplarycommitment to excellence in academics and scholarship. This is a perfectpartnership for Georgia State in every dimension.

Georgia State began competing in the CAA for all sports in 2005-06. Theleague, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in the coming year,includes 12 all-sports members: Delaware, Drexel, George Mason, Georgia
State, Hofstra, James Madison, Northeastern, Old Dominion, Towson, UNCWilmington, VCU, William and Mary.

CAA Football currently includes Delaware, Hofstra, James Madison,Northeastern, Towson and William and Mary, along with New Hampshire,Maine, Massachusetts, Richmond, Rhode Island and Villanova. Old Dominionbegins its football program this fall and then joins CAA Football in2011, and Georgia State will be the leagues 14th team in 2012.

We are very excited about Georgia State joining CAA Football in2012, said Yeager. The state of Georgia is known for its passionfor college football, and we look forward to welcoming the Panthers intothe best FCS conference in the country.

CAA Football has enjoyed remarkable success at the FCS level, boastingfour NCAA championships by four different schools as well as threenational championship runners up since 1998.

On behalf of everyone at Georgia State, wed like to thank theColonial Athletic Association and Commissioner Tom Yeager, saidLevick. The CAA has been a great fit for Georgia State athletics, andit is the perfect home for Panther football.

The response to Georgia State football has been remarkable. Aroundcampus and throughout the city of Atlanta, there is a positive buzz forour new program. The membership in the CAA is now official, and we areready to kick off practice in August.

Five CAA Football programs reached the 16-team NCAA playoffs in 2008,highlighted by national champion Richmond. The league has garneredmultiple playoff berths for 18 straight years, including 24 playoffteams and 38 playoff victories over the last seven seasons.

Thirty-nine CAA Football alumni were active on NFL rosters in 2008,including Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback Joe Flacco, afirst-round draft choice out of Delaware.

CAA Football is the best FCS football conference in the country, byrecord and playoff performance, said Curry. The numbers are simplyastonishing.

The opportunity to compete in a conference this successful and thisprestigious will only help our program grow. We know that we have ourwork cut out for us, and we cant wait to get started. ThisUniversity, this state, and this conference demand excellence, andthats what were going to strive for from day one.

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CAA Football By The Numbers...
4 - National Championships
-- Massachusetts - 1998 (55-43 over Georgia Southern)
-- Delaware - 2003 (40-0 over Colgate)
-- James Madison - 2004 (31-21 over Montana)
-- Richmond - 2008 (24-7 over Montana)

3 - National Championship Runners-up
-- Massachusetts - 1978 (28-35 to Florida A&M)
-- Massachusetts - 2006 (17-28 to Appalachian State)
-- Delaware - 2007 (21-49 to Appalachian State)

18 - Consecutive seasons of multiple berths in the NCAA Playoffs
-- Longest active streak in FCS history

67 - NCAA Playoff Berths

24 - NCAA Playoff Berths over the last seven years

35 - NCAA Playoff Wins over the last seven years

19 - Lambert Cup Trophies

6 - Walter Payton Award Winners
-- Dave Meggett - Towson, 1988
-- Brian Finneran - Villanova, 1997
-- Jerry Azumah - New Hampshire, 1998
-- Brian Westbrook - Villanova, 2001
-- Lang Campbell - William & Mary, 2004
-- Ricky Santos - New Hampshire, 2006

5 - Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Winners
-- Dan Allen - Boston University, 1993
-- Andy Talley - Villanova, 1997
-- Mickey Matthews - James Madison, 1999
-- Sean McDonnell - New Hampshire, 2005
-- Mickey Matthews - James Madison, 2008

4 - American Football Coaches Association National Coach of the Year
Winners
-- Andy Talley - Villanova, 1997
-- Mark Whipple - Massachusetts, 1998
-- Mickey Matthews - James Madison, 2004
-- Mike London - Richmond, 2008

4 - Members of the College Football Hall of Fame
-- Tubby Raymond, Delaware
-- Eddie N. Robinson, Maine
-- Dick MacPherson, Massachusetts
-- Dave Nelson, Maine & Delaware

1 - Buck Buchanan Award Winner
-- Derrick Lloyd - James Madison, 2001

88 - Season-Ending Top-25 Rankings

44 - Season-Ending Top-10 Rankings

276 - Sports Network All-Americans (Since 1987)

90 - American Football Coaches Association All-Americans (Since 1979)

91 - Players Drafted By NFL Franchises

39 - Former Players on active rosters during the 2008 NFL season

17 - Teams with 10+ single-season wins over the last seven years